Baghdad, Iraq | AFP | The Iraqi journalist who grabbed headlines around the world by hurling his shoes at then US president George W. Bush is pitching for a seat in parliament at upcoming elections. “My ambition is to throw all the thieving politicians in prison, make them regret what …
Read More »Zimbabwe’s Mnangagwa launches election campaign
Harare, Zimbabwe | AFP | Zimbabwe’s President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Friday called for his ruling ZANU-PF party to “humbly” appeal for votes as he launched his campaign ahead of elections expected in July. The election will be the first without Robert Mugabe in power since the country won independence from …
Read More »Burundi kicks off campaign for controversial referendum
Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Burundi on Tuesday launched the official campaign for a referendum on constitutional change that could enable President Pierre Nkurunziza to stay in power for another 16 years. Twenty-six parties, most of them aligned with the ruling CNDD-FDD party, have been authorised to campaign for the …
Read More »On the backfoot, British PM braces for election test
London, United Kingdom | AFP | With Prime Minister Theresa May on the ropes over her Brexit strategy and immigration policy, Britain’s main opposition Labour Party hopes to deliver a further blow in local elections on Thursday. Labour is targeting traditional strongholds for May’s Conservatives such as Wandsworth, south London, …
Read More »Comoros president eyes controversial second term
Moroni, Comoros | AFP | Comoros President Azali Assoumani is considering announcing and contesting nationwide elections in 2019 if a controversial constitution-altering referendum is passed in July, one of his advisers said Monday. Assoumani is believed to be seeking to consolidate his power with the constitutional changes so that he …
Read More »Facebook privacy drive may crimp some political campaigns
Washington, United States | AFP | Facebook’s new focus on protecting private user data is likely to change the game for many campaigns, making it harder to deliver highly targeted, personal political messages. The changes unveiled by the huge social network following an outcry over the hijacking of data on …
Read More »Exiled DR Congo opposition leader ‘not scared’ of election return
Kigali, Rwanda | AFP | Congolese opposition leader Moise Katumbi, in exile for two years, said from Rwanda on Friday that he was not afraid of President Joseph Kabila. “Now that am in Rwanda, they will come up with some more fake charges because they don’t like Rwanda,” he said …
Read More »Buhari’s re-election bid kicks off Nigeria’s presidential race
Lagos, Nigeria | AFP | Now that Muhammadu Buhari has ended months of suspense over whether he will seek re-election as Nigeria’s president, all eyes are on the ruling party to see whether it will give him a clear shot at the nation’s top job. Buhari made history in 2015 …
Read More »Nigeria’s Buhari ignores health concerns, to run for re-election
Abuja, Nigeria | AFP | Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari declared Monday he would seek re-election next year, in a move that put an end to months of speculation. “President @Buhari has just announced his intention to seek the presidential ticket of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and contest for a …
Read More »Delayed elections in November: Chad’s President Deby
N’Djamena, Chad | AFP | Chad’s legislative elections, originally due to take place in 2015, “should take place in November”, President Idriss Deby told opposition parties Friday, state radio reported. Deby, named in a US corruption probe, had already promised earlier that the elections would finally take place this year. The …
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